Aerodynamic Investigation of a Boundary Layer Ingesting Wing-Electric Ducted Fan Model

As conventional aircraft designs approach their limits in terms of efficiency and emissions, a drastic change to the architecture of conventional platforms is required if the environmental targets of the next several decades are to be met. Boundary Layer Ingestion is one of industry’s most promising answers to the challenges of the future, identifying a potential step-change in performance in more integrated propulsion and airframe systems. This paper investigates the behaviour of a boundary layer ingesting solution of a closely embedded wing-electric ducted fan design, with focus on the implications of the aerodynamic coupling on the individual performance of both the aerodynamic and propulsive elements as well as on the assessment of the reliability of a low order panel code method. Wind tunnel testing was undertaken to understand the flow physics at different combinations of airframe and propulsor operating conditions; in addition, part of the data used for the experimental validation of a panel method model for predicting the upstream inlet flow conditions. It was found that there were clear local and extended upstream effects of the propulsor on the performance of the aerodynamic surface, resulting from the different combinations of suction strength and nacelle blockage. Similar trends were observed in the numerical code predictions, and identified limitations of the methodology in defining the experimental boundary conditions of the propulsor to be imposed in CFD. The study of the response of the propulsor to varying inlet boundary conditions, created by varying wing angles of attack was also carried out, however, small changes in flow velocity combined with measurement errors of the current system, prevented any solid conclusions being drawn about the impact of distorted inlet flow on propulsor performance.